.jpg)
The Nussaiba family, commonly spelt in English as Nuseibeh (Arabic: عائلة نسيبة; also spelt Nusaibah and Nusseibeh) is a prominent Palestinian family and the oldest Muslim dynasty in Jerusalem.[1] The Nussaiba family has a long history and tight bonds with the Holy Land, and the Christian people of the Levant, since the days their first forefathers conquered Jerusalem in the 7th century.
The Nusseibeh family is historically and genealogically linked to Ubadah ibn al-Samit, a prominent companion of the Prophet Muhammad, from the Khazraj tribe of Medina. Ubadah played a significant role in early Islamic history, including participating in the Aqaba pledges and the battles of Uhud and Badr. The family has been recognized for tracing its lineage to him, a connection that is well-documented in both historical and genealogical sources. While Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (Umm Umarah), an esteemed female companion of the Prophet known for her bravery in battle, is sometimes mentioned in relation to the family, this association is more symbolic than genealogical. The Nusseibeh name may reflect respect for Nusaybah's leadership and contributions, but genealogically, the family is more accurately descended from Ubadah ibn al-Samit. Since the arrival of Islam in Jerusalem in the seventh century, the Sunni Muslim family has held the keys of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Christianity's holiest site,[2] alongside the Joudeh Al Husseini family (who were added to the original arrangement in the time of Saladin, the Muslim conqueror who seized the holy city from the Crusaders in 1187).[3][4][5][6] This arrangement emerged during the days of the second caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattab, who hoped to avoid clashes among rival Christian sects for control over the church.[7] Although symbolic, the arrangement has provided the stability the Christians of the city needed, and is a symbol of tolerance and inter-religious harmony,[8] and gave the Nussaiba family a visible role in Christian activities in Jerusalem, which include pilgrimages and visits by Western Christians.
- ^ "Green investors and right-wing sceptics clash on the meaning of scripture". The Economist. 1 November 2017.
- ^ Tharoor, Ishaan (November 1, 2016). "Why Christianity's holiest shrine is guarded by two Muslim families". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City is Christianity's most hallowed shrine. It's believed that the rock-cut tomb at the heart of the church was where the body of Jesus Christ was once laid.
- ^ "Muslim Holds Ancient Key to Jesus Tomb Site in Jerusalem".
- ^ Nina Strochlic, Christian Monks Square Off at One of Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites, Daily Beast, 7 April 2013
- ^ Opening the Doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, JerusalemExperience.com
- ^ Liebermann, Oren (26 March 2016). "Two Muslim families entrusted with care of holy Christian site for centuries". CNN. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ Figes. "Religious Conflict Precedes the Crimean War". www.fsmitha.com.
The rival groups of worshippers fought not only with their fists, but with crucifixes, candlesticks, chalices, lamps and incense-burners, and even bits of wood which they tore from the sacred shrines. The fighting continued with knives and pistols smuggled into the Holy Sepulchre by worshippers of either side. - Orlando Figes, "The Crimean War", p 2.
- ^ Clark, Fred (December 1, 2017). "The Muslims who keep the peace at Christianity's holiest site". Patheos.
We Christians can't trust ourselves with the keys to our own holiest site. But these good Muslim stewards have, for centuries, helped to save us from ourselves.